Tazarotene cream in the treatment of psoriasis: Two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies of the safety and efficacy of tazarotene creams 0.05% and 0.1% applied once daily for 12 weeks

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 760 - 767
• Main Authors: Weinstein, Gerald D., Koo, John Y.M., Krueger, Gerald G., Lebwohl, Mark G., Lowe, Nicholas J., Menter, M.Alan, Lew-Kaya, Deborah A., Sefton, John, Gibson, John R., Walker, Patricia S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.05.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatologic Agents - administration & dosage; Dermatologic Agents - adverse effects; Dermatologic Agents - pharmacology; Dermatology; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids - administration & dosage; Nicotinic Acids - adverse effects; Nicotinic Acids - pharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Psoriasis - pathology; Psoriasis. Parapsoriasis. Lichen; Severity of Illness Index; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton; Treatment Outcome; Human; Local administration; Skin disease; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Psoriasis; Tazarotene; Toxicity; Retinoid; Double blind study; Comparative study; Percutaneous route
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1067/mjd.2003.103

Background: Tazarotene in a gel formulation is widely used in the treatment of psoriasis. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of tazarotene 0.1% and 0.05% creams in the treatment of psoriasis. Methods: A total of 1303 patients participated in 2 clinical trials. Patients applied tazarotene creams 0.1% and 0.05% or vehicle once daily to all psoriatic lesions for 12 weeks followed by a 12-week posttreatment period. Results: Both creams were significantly more effective than vehicle on the basis of an overall assessment of psoriasis, a global response to treatment, and reduction in plaque elevation and scaling. Therapeutic effect was maintained during the posttreatment period. Common adverse events included signs and symptoms of skin irritation. Conclusion: Tazarotene creams were associated with significant reductions in the severity of the clinical signs of psoriasis and were found to be safe with acceptable tolerability. Tazarotene cream 0.1% was generally more effective, although slightly less well tolerated, than the 0.05% cream. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:760-7.)